Perpetual vacuum vapor appliance



Nov. 11, 1924. l y 1,515,048

J. E. HUMRICK f PERPETUAL VACUUM VAPOR APPLIANCE Filed May 29 1922' u i i '/////////l//// (y l? 3? s la v 9 /IO s 5 f/ i i. f3 i i D lfIG. L i

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narran stars JOHN E. UMlF-CK, 0F PUEBLO, COLORADO.

PEnPETp-an VACUUM varonerrnrancn.

Application filed May 29,

To all @rv/'wm t 7.12m/ conce/m:

Be it known that l, JOHN E. Hui/nnen, a citizen of the United Sta-tes, residing at Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Perpetual Vacuum Vapor Appliances; and I do hereby declare the following to be full, clear, and exact description oi" the invent-ion, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates generally to vapor or steam heating plants, and aims to provide a novel and improved appliance 'for maintaining a practically constant vacuum 0r reduced pressure in the return line or pipe for the water of condensation, in order to facilitate the circulation.

Another object is the provision of a novel and improved device to be disposed in the water return pipe and having novel means 'for accumulating the water of condensation therein and discharging the water periodically l'or return to the boiler.

A still further object is the provision of such a device comprising a chamber having valves for the water inlet and outlet and the steam inlet, and novel means for automati cally opening and closing the valves whereby when the chamber is being filled with the water, they steam inlet and water outlet are closed, and when the chamber is filled up to a certain level, the water inlet is closed to maintain the vacuum in the water return pipe leading to the chamber, while the water outlet and steam inlet valves are opened `.tor the drainage of the Water to the boiler.

' lt is also an object of the invention to provide such an appliance which is comparatively simple a-nd inexpensive in construction, as well as being practical and ellicient in operation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in thev construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, whereino Figure 1 is a vertical section of thedevice, portions being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken in a planey water chamber.

i922. serial no. 564,458.

at right angles to the pla-ne of thesectio'n of Fig. 1, portions being shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a reduced view showing the device as installed in a vapor heating system.

As yshown in Fig. 3, the appliance is installed yin simple vapor heating plant, including the boiler 7, the steam supply pipe 8 having branches leading to thel radiators R', and a water return pipe or line 9 having branches leading from the radiators. rl`her'e are suitable return traps 41 operating on the thermos principle for controlling the flow of water into the pipe 9. Y

The appliance 10l is disposed in the return pipe 9 above the water level of the boiler 7, and comprises a suitable casing 11 enclosing rlfhe casing 11Y hasfithe nipples 12 and 13 at the top' and bottom for the connection of the adjacent endsof the sections of the pipe 9, 'andthe vcasing has a second nipple 14 at the top for the connection of a branch 15 leading from the steam sup-ply pipe 8 for delivering live steam into the chamber at times. The nipple 12 provides a. water inlet, the nipple 13 al water outlet, and the nipple 14 a. steam inlet for the chamber, and each of the ports has a valve. Thus, there is a valve seat 16 at the lower end of the nipple 12, anda valve 17 is sea-table upwardly against said'seat in al direction reverse to the flow of water rthrough the pipe 9. The valve 17 isA carried by a stein 18 slidable'within the nipple 12 to guide the valve for movement to and from its seat. The nipple 13 has a valve seat 19 at its upper end on which a valve r2O is sea-table, said valve having a guide portion 21 slidable in the nipple 13, and the valve also having an upstanding stem 22. There. is a seat 23 in the nipple 14 on which a valve 24 is seatable, by the pressure ozt steam, to prevent the low of steam into the casing unless the valve 24 is unseated, and the valve 20, the same as the valve 24, also seats in the direction of How, the valve 24 being seated the steam pressure, while the valve 2Oi is seated by the water pressure. The"valve 24 has a depending stem 25 slidable in the nipple 14. A trippingl deviceis pro ided for closing the valve 17 .andopening the valves 2O vand 24 when the chamber becomes filled with water up to a predetermined level, for the discharge of 'said water back to the boiler, and the tripping 'device operates a vertical rod 26 having a pin 27 at its lower end working in a short vertical slot 28 in the Stem 22 of the water outlet valve 20, providing a limited longitudinal movement between said stem and rod. The upper terminal of the rod 26 and valve stems 18 and 25 are slidable in a cross guide 29 in the casing. The tripping device is controlled by a iioat 3() having a central sleeve 31 slidable upwardly and downwardly on the rod 26, and when the chamber is empty, the float gravitates and seats on the valve 20.

A cross arm 32 is secured to the rod 26, and its opposite terminals project under the valve stems 18 and 25. A coiled spring surrounds the lower terminal of the valve stem 18 and is disposed between the cross arm 32 and a collar 88 secured on said valve stem, whereby when the rod is raised, the arm 32 in compressing the spring 88 and cont-acting with the lower end ot said valve lstem 25, will iirst seat the' valve 17 and then unseat the valve 24. The rod being raised will also unseat the valve 20, the pin and slot connection between the stem 22 and rod 26 permitting said rod to start upwardly before lifting the valve 20.

In order to obtain a quick-acting tripping kmotion, a pair of pendulum members or levers 34: are pivotally suspended, as at 35, i'rom rigid hangers 36 secured and depending from the top of the chamber at opposite sides of the rod 26, and said levers 3ft have the portions 37 projecting away trom one another and carrying weights 88, whereby said levers have a tendenc7 to swing toward one another by the gravity action of said weights which are disposed at those sides of the vertical lines in which the pivots 35 are disposed opposite to the rod 26, thereby tending to swing the levers toward said rod. The levers 34 are connected by toggle-action links 89 with a cross arm Il() secured on the rod 26 above the cross arm 32, and the cross arm 40 and toggle links 39 are movable to and beyond a straight line or alining position, whereby the action of the weighted levers will hold 'he rod 26 in either ot its extreme positions.

The operation of the appliance is as tollows z-Under normal conditions, the valve 20 is closed and the cross arm 40 is disposed below the horizontal plane of the ends of the links 89 which are pivoted to the levers 34, whereby the weights 88 in tending to swing toward the rod 26 will exert a downward pressure on the rod 26. The valve 24 is sealed and held closed by the steam pressure, and the valve 17 is open, whereby the water of condensation can flow into the chamber. rlhe water in cooling and con- (lensing willk create a vacuum` in the chamber and pipe 9, to facilitate the circulation through the radiators, and as the chamber becomes filled, the float 30 rises. When the chamber is lilled up to a predetermined level, the float 30 being raised will bring the upper end oi the sleeve 31 into contact with the cross arm thereby raising said cross arm, and the linl's 39 being si'raightened out, will swing the levers fl-l slightly apart against the gravity action oi the weights 88, and as soon as the cross arm l0 is raised slightly above the horizontal line or neutral position of the links 89, the tripping action is accomplished quickly,

`inasmuch as the pressure of the links 39 against the cross arm 6u is exerted upwardly, and the weights will move the rod 26 to its lugward position by a quick action. The cross arm 32 being raised will compress the spring and seat the valve li' by a quick movement, tnereby preventing the suction or vacuum in the pipe 9 above the casing 11 from being relieved. At the same time, the valve 25 is lifted open, admitting steam into the easing, while the valve 20 is raised to permit the water to iiow down back to the boiler. rllhe admission of steam from the branch 16 balances the pressure in the chamber, so that the water can flow down by gravity. The valve 1'? having been closed will prevent the steam from passing on into the pipe 9 above the casing 11, thereby maintaining the vacuum in such portion of the return pipe 9. lVhen the chamber is emptied of water, the float 89 gravita-tes down the rod 26 and seats on the valve 20. rlChe weight of the iioat will pull t-he rod 26 down, and the cross arm l() being moved downwardly will again straighten out thc links 39 to separate the pendulum arms 84 slightly, so that as soon as the cross arm 40 is moved below the horizontal line or intermediate position of the links 39, the pressure of the links against the cross arm l0 will complete the downward movement of the rod 26 by a quick motion, thereby seating the valve 2O and moving the cross arm 32 downwardly quickly. The valve 24 will close at once by gravity and steam pressure, and the valve 17 will open as soon as the vacuum in the casing is established by the condensation of the steam therein, thereby restoring normal conditions. The valve 17 will remain seated, even after the valves 2O and 2li are closed, because the steam pressure in the chamber is greater than the pressure in the pipe 9, therebeing a partial vacuum in the pipe 9 or a sub-atmospheric pressure in said pipe, while the pressure in the chamber is above atmospheric pressure until the steam condenses. The pressure in the chamber gradually decreases as Vthe steam condenses, by the cooling of the chamber, and when the pressures in the chamberl and pipe are equalized, the valve 17 will drop open by gravity, so that a further decrease in pressure in the chamber is made effective n the pipe 9 also, to continue the presence of a partial vacuumin the return pipe 9. By the provision of the weighted levers or pendulums 84 and link connections with the rod 26, a quick tripping action is obtained,

for opening and closing the valves quicaly and Wit-hout leaving an interval that would interrupt the circulation ot the vapor and water. Whenever the water chamberfbecomes illed, there is a slight interruption in the flow ot water from the pipe 9 into the chamber, but ther valve l? being closed, will retain the vacuum in the pipe above said chamber, while the water is emptied trom the chamber. The operation is there- :tore entirely automatic. Nith the present appliance, the steam is under pressure in the supply pipe 8 and radiators, while there is a vacuum or reduced pressure in the return pipe 9, Without any interference between the pressure and vacuum, sides of the system, to in any way hinder the circulation.

For larger heating plants and systems, a series of the appliances can be used, to operate alternately or in succession.

The present appliance, by creating and maintaining the vacuum in the return line or pipe, will result in more complete radiation, to increase the eiciency of the heating plant.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is :-l

l. A vacuum appliance for ay vapor heating plant comprising a casing to be disposed in the return pipe having a water inlet, a water outlet` and a live steam inlet, a normally open valve for the water inlet, and normally closed valves for the water outlet: and steam inlet, a oat in said casing, and means operated by the float for closing the water inlet valve and opening the water outlet and steam inlet valves when the l'ioat is raised and for restoring the water outlet and steam inlet valves to normal position whenthe iioat gravitates, the water inlet valve being arranged to keep the water inlet closed while the pressure in the casing is greater than that beyond such valve.

2. A vacuum: appliance for a vapor heating plant comprising a casing to be disposed in the return pipe and having a Water inlet, a water outlet, and a live steam inlet, a normally opened valve tor the Water inlet, normally closed valves for the water outlet and steam inlet, a quick-acting tripping device controlling the valves for closing the water inlet valve and opening the water outlet and steam inlet valves and restoring the water outlet and steam inlet valves to normal position, the water inlet valve being` arranged to keep the water inlet closed while the pressure in the casing is greater than that beyond such valve, and a oat controlling said device to bring same into ope ation when the float moves upwardly and downwardly.

3. A vacuum appliance for a vapor heating plant comprising a casing to be disposed in the return pipe and having a water inlet, a water outlet, and a. live steam inlet, a normally open valve for the water inlet, normally closed valves tor the water outletand steam inlet, means for closing the water inlet valve and opening thewater outlet and steam inlet valves and for restoringthe water outlet and steam inlet valves kto normal position including a reciprocatory rod, a oat for moving said rod in opposite directions when the 'tloat is raised and lowered, the water inlet valve being arranged to keep the water inlet closed While the pressure in the casing is greater than that beyond such valve, and means operably connected with said rod and exerting pressure thereon for holding the rod ineither extereme position and for moving the rod by a quick motion to its other extreme position when started in that direction by the iioat.

4. A vacuum appliance for a vapor heating plant comprising a casing to be disposed in the return pipe and having a. water inlet, a water outlet, and a live steam inlet, a normally open valve for the water inlet, normally closed valves for the water outlet and steam. outlet, means for closing the water inlet valve and o ening the water outlet and steanr inlet va ves and restoring the Water outlet and steam inlet valves to normal position including ay reciprocatory rod, a oat movable upwardly and downwardly for reciprocating said rod, a link connected to the rod and movable beyond a neutral position,- and means exerting pressure on said link for moving't-he rod to either eXtreme position when the link is movedfby the float beyond such neutral position in the corresponding direction, the water inlet valve being arranged to keep the water inlet closed while the pressurev in in thecasing is greater than that beyond euch valve. v

5. A vacuum appliance for a vapor lieatingv plant comprising' a casing to be disposed in the return pipe and yhaving a water inlet, a water outlet, and a livev steam inlet, a normally Open valve rfor the water inlet, normally closed valves for the water outlet and steam inlet, means for closing the water inlet valve and opening the wateroutlet and steam inlet valves and restoring the water outlet and steam inlet valves to normal position including a reciprocatory rod, a float movable upwardly and downwardly in the casing for reciprocating said rod, a Weighted lever, and a link connecting said lever and rod and movable past a neutra-l position in either direction whereby the lever exerts pressure for moving the rod to either of its eXtreme positions, the water inlet valve bellO ing arranged to keep the water inlet closed while the pressure in the casing is greater than that beyond such valve.

6. A vacuum appliance for a vapor heat ing plant comprising a casing to be disposed in the return pipe and having a water inlet, a water outlet, and a live` steam inlet, a normally open valve for the water inlet, normally closed valves for the water outlet and steam inlet, means for closing the water inlet valve, and opening the water outlet and steam inlet valves and restoring the water outlet and steam inlet valves to normal position including a vertically slidable rod in the casing operably connected with the valves, and a float movable upwardly and downwardly on said rod for moving same when the casing is filled with water and emptied, the water inlet valve being arranged to keep the water inlet closed while the pressure in the casing is greater than that beyond such valve.

7. A vacuum appliance for a vapor` heating plant comprising a casing to4 be disposed in the return pipe and having a water inlet, a water outlet, and a live steam inlet, a normally open valve for the water inlet, normally closed valves for the water outlet and steam inlet, means for closing the water inlet valve and opening the water outlet and steam inlet valves and restoring the water outlet and steam inlet valves to normal position including a vertically slidable rod in the casing operably connected with the valves, a iioat movable upwardly and downwardly on said rod for moving same when the casing is filled with water and emptied, and means operably connected with said rod for moving it by a quick motion to either of its eXtreme positions when moved beyond a neutral or intermediate position, the water inlet valve being arranged to keep the water inlet closed while the pressure in the casing is greater than that beyond such valve.

8. A vacuum appliance for a vapor heating plant comprising va casing to be disposed in the return pipe and having a water inlet, a water outlet, and a live steam inlet, a normally open valve for the Water inlet, normally closed valves for the water outlet and steam inlet, a vertically slidable rod in the casing operably connected with the valves for closing the water inlet valve and opening the water outlet and steam inlet valves when the rod is raised and for restoring the water outlet and steam. inlet valves when the rod is moved downwardly, a Hoat slidable on the rod to move it upwardly and downwardly when the casing is iilled with water and emptied, a link connected with said rod to move beyond a neutral or intermediate position, and means exerting pressure against said link whereby to move the rod to either of its eXtreme positions when moved beyond a neutral or intermediate position, the water inlet valve being arranged to keep the water inlet closed while the pressure in the casing is greater than that beyond such valve.

9. A vacuum appliance for a vapor heating plant comprising a casing to be disposed in the return pipe and having a water inlet, a water outlet, and a live steam inlet, a normally open valve for the water inlet, normally closed valves for the water outlet and steam inlet, a vertically slidable rod in the casing operably connected with the valves for closing the water inlet valve and opening the water outlet and steam inlet valves when the rod is raised and for restoring the valves when the rod is moved downwardly, a float slidable on the rod for raising and lowering it when the casing is filled with water and emptied, weighted levers suspended within the casing and tending to swing toward one another, and links connecting said levers and rod and movable beyond a straight-line position for exerting a pressure to move the rod to either of its eXtreme positions.

l0. A vacuum appliance Jfor a. vapor heating plant comprising a casing to be disposed in the return pipe and having a water inlet and a steam inlet at the top thereof and a water outlet at the bottom, a valve for the water inlet seatable upwardly, valves for the water outlet and steam inlet seatable downwardly, a vertically slidable rod in the casing operably connected with the valves for raising them when the rod is raised and for the downward movement of the valves when the rod is lowered., and a float slidable on the rod for raising and lowering` it when the casing is filled with water and emptied, respectively.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN E. HUMRICK. Witnesses:

J. D. CREEL, WILL A. LEE. 

